Two weeks had passed and Beatris didn't hear from Norman again. No creepy texts, or showing up at her work with his signature sunglasses. Nevertheless, this didn't stop bothering her. She was having severe anxiety attacks, lack of sleep, and all it was associated with.

She was going to resign as soon as she got her paycheck for the month. That was the plan. In no time, she and Brianna would be in a different town safe enough for them.

Speaking of Brianna, where was she? It was already 8 pm and she still wasn't back from one of the usual auditions she always went for. Honestly, Beatris was getting tired of her sister's unachievable dreams.

"Beatris!" Brianna barged into the house with so much excitement, causing her to jump out of her chair in fright.

"What is wrong with you?" Beatris said, pulling herself up from the ground and putting her right hand to check her plummeting heartbeat.

"I got a role! I got the role!" Brianna was laughing and tears were streaming down her cheeks at the same time. "I'm gonna be a star! I can't believe this!" She walked quickly to her sister that was still trying to process the information and threw her arms around her.

Beatris pulled her out so she could see her face clearly. "You got a part in a movie?" She asked and Brianna nodded with tears in her eyes. "Oh my God!" Beatris embraced her again.

This was a dream come true for her sister. She'd never seen Brianna this happy in her life before. Well... Except the day she'd saved up all her lunch money to buy her ice cream for the first time when they were little girls.

"I'm so proud of you! I can't believe this!" Beatris felt a tonne of guilt for ever doubting her sister's dreams and believing this day would never come. "Give me the details!" She said as they both took their seats.

Brianna was overtaken by anxiety and excitement, she found it difficult to compose herself. "Okay, I passed the first round of auditions, no big deal, I've done that couple of times. I went for the call back auditions today and as soon as we were done, they called me in and told me I got the role! I am so excited, Beatris. This is a dream come true."

"And he didn't ask you to do anything you don't want to do?" Beatris had to be sure. She'd protect her sister to her last breath and make sure she doesn't do anything silly for a stupid role.

She shook her head. "No. He did say I was highly recommended by a good friend of his though. He didn't tell me who."

Beatris almost felt like she could cry as she embraced her sister again.

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# WE DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO COMPLETE OUR DATE THE LAST TIME, WHEN CAN WE DO THAT? TOWWU

Beatris almost screamed as she saw the message on her phone from another unknown number. How could she be stupid enough to think this was over?

# GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY PHONE!

She typed angrily and then changed her mind. She blocked the number instead. No matter how pointless it was. This Norman would stop at nothing. She made up her mind this instant. She was going to report to the police.

Grabbing her bag and her jacket, she walked out of the café not bothering to greet anyone on her way out. They weren't her friends after all. On days like this, she'd always hail a cab, not risking walking to the bus station and getting harassed by this sick man.

Lucky for her, a cab showed up immediately and she stopped it and entered immediately.

If only Brianna had not landed a major role all of a sudden they would've been ready to move out of here by now and go to a place that man wouldn't find her. Now she was so confused she didn't know what to do. The driver had stopped the car a few minutes later.

"What's going on?" She asked suspiciously.

One second later, a man jumped into the car and took a seat beside her. This was when she knew she was in danger.

She was trembling as she tried to open the door but it was locked already and the driver was already in motion. She tried to scream but her attempt was futile as the man had caught her hands tight with his strong hands and used his other hand to put a chloroform-filled handkerchief on her nostrils. Desperately trying to kick and fight him off lasted only 5 seconds longer before she lost consciousness.

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Beatris felt light-headed as she slowly became aware of her surroundings. She was lying on a large bed with soft pillows. It felt good for a second before she opened her eyes wondering where she was. The last memory of being in the taxi sprang up and she jumped up anxiously.

Right in front of her was none other than Norman Patterson with a stupid smile on his face.

She'd been kidnapped. But instead of the regular being locked up in a basement somewhere, she was lying in what seemed like an expensive hotel room on the best bed she'd seen in all her days on earth.

Suspiciously, she dragged out the blanket she'd been neatly tucked into. Her clothes were intact. Her body felt okay. Obviously, he hadn't tampered with her in any way - yet. Because he'd have lived to regret it for the rest of his life.

"You're up."

"Norman, what is the meaning of this?" She stood up immediately as she headed for the door.

"It's locked." He didn't have to tell her she'd observed that already.

"Somebody get me out of here!" She yelled banging against the door.

"It's useless," Norman said walking towards her. "I don't want to harm you. If I wanted to, I would've already while you were sleeping like a princess." That stupid smile was back again.

Beatris turned to face him, struggling so hard not to break down right now. "Please, I don't know what I have done to you. But, please let me go."

"I will," Norman replied. "I just want to talk to you. That's all."

With her heart beating frantically against her chest, she forced herself to take a deep breath, knowing there was no easy way out of this. So, she frowned and put on a brave face, willing herself to sit down and listen to what this weird man had to say after all.

She couldn't help but wonder why was he going to all these lengths just to talk to her even after she'd made it clear to him that she wasn't interested. Was it that difficult to take no for an answer?

This was the first time Norman was without his glasses and she could see his face clearly. He didn't look big or strong, he didn't look like a criminal or someone that was after her life. He was infuriating, but not scary especially because he'd appeared like an ordinary man, even though she knew he wasn't.

"Okay, let's talk," she said as she moved over to the bed and took a seat.

"Have you thought about what I said to you?"

"No. There's no need. I'm not interested," she answered firmly.

"Is there something wrong with me?" He asked and for the first time, he appeared actually hurt.

"I didn't say that. But..."

"You think that." He got up with a clenched fist and turned his back to her. "You think I'm too ugly? I'm not tall enough? I'm not good enough?"

"I never said that." Beatris would certainly never think anyone was too ugly because she knew she was far from perfect.

If anything was the case, the fact that Norman wanted to have anything at all to do with her was too strange. She knew he was rich. It was not hard to tell from his appearance. There was also the case of the gossip, Lily who'd spread the gist of his luscious looking Rolls Royce and request to see her, to anyone who cared to listen, which attracted unnecessary attention and unwanted friendly advances. 

The weird man turned to face her again. "Give me a chance to change your life, Tris. You know you want better for yourself and your sister."

The fact that he'd mentioned her sister already had Beatris unnerved. She wondered how desperately Brianna would be looking for her now. She never got home late.

"Why wouldn't you just leave me alone?" Her voice was a mere whisper as she spoke in frustration.

Norman smiled. "Because I can't get you out of my mind. I promise I have tried. But I can't let you go."

"I don't know you!" She reiterated.

"It doesn't matter. I'll tell you all you need to know about me. I am not here to hurt you."

Beatris held her head in her hands. This was too confusing. Who was this man? She'd spent so much energy trying to run away, especially from men. They only ever wanted one thing from her and she'd given too much of herself that she didn't know if she had anything left to give.

Life had dealt with her more than enough. After a million heartbreaks, she'd closed off and decided to let no one in. She didn't want this.

"I want you to know I was the friend that highly recommended your sister for the role she got," he said and could see the shock on Beatris face.

"Y-you did that?"

He nodded. "And I can undo it just as easy as I did it, Beatris. I know your sister would not be happy about it."

This was all so unbelievable. "Why wouldn't you just leave us the hell alone!" This time, she couldn't prevent the tears that welled up in her eyes from streaming down her cheeks.

Norman walked towards her till he was only a few inches away. He knelt in front of her and captured her eyes with the blue pools of his that looked innocent and genuine. "I am not here to harm you. I need you in my life, Tris. I want to make you happy for the rest of your life. I want you to have everything you've ever wanted. Because, you have suffered enough."

"But you don't know me."

"I do. I know who you are," Norman said and as he watched her, it felt more like he was looking through her facade, right into her soul and there was someone there who did not want to be found.

For a second, she felt vulnerable and exposed and she knew she had to do something to get away from him immediately.

"Fine." She nodded. "Okay, good. You want me to be your wife?" She said, using her hands to wipe the tears from her eyes. "Let me think about it."

"Remember, your sister would be very disappointed if she loses that role and it would be your fault." Norman smiled as he placed a key in her hands. The key to the door as well as the key to her future.